Mount Isa is set to construct a landmark $4.7 million memorial dedicated to the memory of 151 miners who lost their lives in the historic mining hub. After nearly 30 years of tireless community advocacy, the Mount Isa Miners Memorial has received the final funding greenlight, marking a monumental victory for grieving families and local advocates.

The highly anticipated project is a joint initiative funded by the Queensland State Government ($2 million), mining giant Glencore ($2 million), and the Mount Isa City Council ($700,000). The landmark will be erected at Frank Aston Hill, offering a commanding view overlooking the iconic Mount Isa Mines, with a target completion date of late 2027.

A Decades-Long Battle for Recognition

For former residents like Steve Trevor, the news brings a profound sense of closure. Trevor's brother, Tony, was tragically killed in a mining accident in 1995. Over the last three decades, Trevor has fought to keep his brother’s memory alive, waiting for a formal sanctuary of remembrance.

"The memories are still incredibly sharp in my mind," Trevor said. "This memorial will bring formal recognition to those lives lost. What they gave to their community is the ultimate sacrifice. They didn't come home, and there are only a few people who truly understand what that feels like."

John Moran, another advocate who initiated the formal push for a memorial back in 1998, described the announcement as a historic day for the outback town. Moran emphasized that these 151 workers were permanent residents who built the community from the ground up, rather than fly-in, fly-out staff. "They deserve to be remembered, but more importantly, they deserve to be memorialised," Moran said.

Securing the Funding

Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae shared her pride in seeing the long-awaited project move toward the construction phase. She confirmed that the council's $700,000 contribution is ready and that plans will go to tender as quickly as possible, with hopes to turn the first sod in the near future.

While design plans and costings were originally drawn up in 2023, the project previously stalled without state-level financial backing. The deadlock was broken when Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie announced that the state government would reallocate $2 million from the Mount Isa Transition Fund to bridge the gap.

According to Bleijie, repurposing these funds directly aligns with supporting the region’s heritage and local economy following the closure of the underground copper mining operations. "When people come to towns like Mount Isa, whose heart and soul is the mining community, they can reflect and be educated on how important the mining industry is to our state," Bleijie said.

A Commitment to Safety and Legacy

Glencore Metals Chief Operating Officer Troy Wilson, who started his career at the Mount Isa operations in the 1990s, emphasized the deep-rooted connection between the mine and the town. Despite no fatalities occurring under Glencore's ownership since 2013, Wilson acknowledged the site's heavier historical losses.

"This memorial will create a permanent place where we can honour all those who have gone before," Wilson said. "It also stands as an opportunity for us to remember what our responsibility is—to learn from the past, to continuously improve, and to ensure we do everything we can every day to make sure all of our workers go home safe."